As the tools you utilize daily in your output, workflow, and finishing departments move and shift, your company’s employees need to be able to keep up with this “technology drift.” If not, as the years progress, your shop is likely to see rapid downgrades in proficiency, efficiency, and, eventually, profitability.

There are opportunities throughout the graphic-arts marketplace to accelerate your training efforts – sometimes, you just have dig for them. Across the industry, manufacturers and suppliers, associations, and tradeshow companies are recognizing the importance of a better educated workforce. So there’s no better time to get back to the classroom – even if that “classroom” is online – and hone your skills.

Training from manufacturers and suppliers Nearly all industry companies offer training on the specific hardware or software they produce and sell – either as part of the purchase price or for an additional fee. But many companies are now partnering with other manufacturers, suppliers, and associations, etc., to provide users with a broader range of knowledge and expertise. Here are some of the companies that offer training, education, and events beyond the basics. (Note: As you might guess, some of what manufacturers and suppliers offer is company- and product-centric by its very nature.)

Agfa Graphics (www.agfagraphics.com) is planning educational workshops and open houses for 2014 at which attendees will be able to learn about UV and solvent printing, rigid and flexible media as well as inks, and related technology; dates and locales to be announced. The company also works with other industry suppliers and associations for educational events hitting topics such as color management and G7 training.